Before and After, Author and Finisher

Friday 4-24-15 (Gaiman IBP, Argentina)

Scripture reading:  1 Sam 28-29    Ps 109    Matt 11

S.  Matt 11:13-14  For before John came, all the teachings of the Scriptures looked forward to this present time.  And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah*, the one the prophets said would come.  NLT

O.  Jesus is contrasting the “before and after” and the ministry of John the Baptist is the pivotal point.  In other translations He is quoted, “For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.” KJV  Historians attempted to set the estimated date of Jesus’ birth as the pivotal point to separate the centuries into “Before Christ” and “After Christ.” But Jesus is separating the “before” and “after” with the ministry of John the Baptist and perhaps with the date of his astounding declaration, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” NKJV  Of course Jesus is referring to the Old Testament scriptures that referred to Him.  Today we have the blessing to have both the “before” and “after” in the Old Testament and New Testament.

A.  In one study of Old Testament references to Jesus’ “lineage and birth”, “ministry”, His “last week of suffering and death” and His “resurrection and ascension” 117 such prophecies of Christ are listed.*  When the resurrected Christ walked to Emmaus with Cleopas and his friend, their hearts burned within them as He took them for a ride through the Old Testament scriptures that prophesied about his ministry, suffering, death and resurrection.  What a sermon that must have been!   Jesus gave them a summary of the “before” and now these two men literally went leaping out of their despair and into the marvelous “after” of their new life in Jesus Christ… the new life He offers to every one of us. 

P.  Thank you, Lord Jesus.  You did what no other person could even attempt.  You split history into “BC and AD” and every atheist in the USA has to admit it every time he makes reference to today’s date or his own birth date.  And greater still… You have given every one of us, Your believers, a “before” and “after”.  You call it the new birth… for it launches us into a brand new life.  For You are both the “Before” and “After”.  So this morning I fix my eyes on You, Jesus, the “Author” and “Finisher” of our faith, who for the joy that was set before You endured the cross, despising the shame, and now You sit at the right hand of the throne of Your Father.  (personalized by R Hiatt) Heb 12:2  Amen.

Ralph

*Mal 4:5-6  Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the LORD arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the hearts of children to their parents.  NLT

*http://www.biblestudy.org/prophecy/old-testament-prophecies-jesus-fulfilled.html